Spencer man refuses order to surrender pets

A local man whose dogs were ordered impounded told the selectmen Wednesday night they won’t find the dogs, he’s not turning them over to the town, and he’s going to bring the board to court.

Robert Norris and Jaime Martel, of 6 Cranberry Lane, Apt. A, have been wrangling with the Board of Selectmen for months over their two dogs that were deemed dangerous after a neighbor was allegedly bitten.

Most recently he assured selectmen that he would comply with the town bylaw which requires a special insurance policy for dogs labeled as dangerous.

But the policy had not been purchased when the board met last night and selectmen said they were tiring of extending the time Mr. Norris was given to comply.

“I think we’re at the point where we just can’t keep giving extensions,” said Selectman Gary E. Woodbury, who has visited Mr. Norris’ home to view the kennel and other accommodations for the dogs. “It needs to end.”

Mr. Norris’ dogs, described as a pit bull and a bulldog, have been kept inside, in a kennel or on a leash, but the insurance is needed for the couple to be in complete compliance and to maintain ownership of their pets.

When selectmen Wednesday night ordered Mr. Norris to turn over the dogs to animal control at 9 a.m. today he told them he would not.

“If you don’t surrender the dogs we’ll have to come get them,” Town Administrator Adam D. Gaudette said.

“They won’t be there,” Mr. Norris said, adding that he would take them to his mother’s home in Woodstock, Conn., or to Ms. Martel’s family.

If Mr. Norris were to buy the policy and show the town he had paid for it, his dogs would be returned, Mr. Gaudette said. But Mr. Norris said the policy costs $1,200 and he has hired a lawyer to settle the matter in court.

Police Chief David B. Darrin said if the dogs are not turned over officials will move forward using provisions of the bylaw to impound the dogs.